SRINAGAR, Jul 27: National Conference president and veteran politician Dr. Farooq Abdullah has asserted that if the Indian Constitution is to be truly upheld, statehood for Jammu and Kashmir must be restored. He also claimed that the recent terror attack in Pahalgam could have been prevented had an elected local government been in charge of security affairs.
“It’s not a question of being hopeful. If the Constitution of India is to be respected, states are never converted into Union Territories. A UT is converted into a state. The tragedy is they converted a state into a UT. And what did they achieve?” Said Adbdullah
Referring to the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the former Chief Minister said promises were made that militancy would end. “Has militancy disappeared? Or has it increased?” he asked, urging the Centre to answer in Parliament.
Abdullah expressed concern over the ongoing delay in restoring statehood, noting that opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have written to the Prime Minister demanding the same.
He further pointed out that the central government had committed in Parliament and the Supreme Court to restore statehood. “The people are expecting an announcement soon,” he said.
On the security situation, Abdullah directly linked the Pahalgam terror attack to a governance gap. “Had there been a local government, the Pahalgam attack could have been prevented,” he said. Praising the Lieutenant Governor for admitting security failure, he added, “I’m glad the LG accepted the lapse. But he should have had the courage to resign.”
He also criticized the absence of elected representation in Parliament and the Assembly from J&K, calling it a “tragedy” that four Rajya Sabha seats remain vacant and two Assembly seats unfilled. “What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked.
Responding to speculation of rifts within the National Conference, Abdullah maintained, “This party is democratic, unlike the BJP which has turned autocratic. Here, people have the right to express their opinions.”
On Indo-Pak relations, Abdullah said, “Pakistan is not going to give up. War is never a solution. We need a peaceful resolution that is honourable to India, Pakistan, and the people of J&K.”
Welcoming separatist-turned-mainstream leader Bilal Lone, Abdullah said he was pleased with Lone’s decision. “I’m very happy that they’ve realised J&K is a part of India. After years in the wilderness, I hope he now works for the welfare of the people,” he said.
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